Sharapova ends Clijsters jinx to clinch San Diego title

SAN DIEGO, Aug 7 (Reuters) Maria Sharapova shocked top seed Kim Clijsters 7-5 7-5 to win the Acura Classic Yesterday.

In grabbing her first title on North American summer hard courts, Sharapova took down reigning US Open champion Clijsters for the first time in five meetings.

''I hung in there during some amazing points in the second set,'' said the second-seeded Russian.

''I had lost to her four times in a row, so I thought this might be my lucky day. It's amazing to get the title.'' The 19-year-old served better, stayed tough during long rallies and tore apart Clijsters' second serves in the one hour 48-minute contest.

Sharapova won the match when she whipped a backhand return of serve on the baseline that Clijsters could not handle.

REUTERS DH RK0541